cortex
noun
cor·tex
ˈkȯr-ˌteks
plural cortices
ˈkȯr-tə-ˌsēz
also cortexes
1
a(1)
: the outer or superficial part of an organ or bodily structure (such as the kidney, adrenal gland, or cerebellum or a bone)
especially
: cerebral cortex
(2)
: the proteinaceous usually pigmented layer of a hair below the cuticle
b
: the outer part of some organisms (such as paramecia)
2
: a plant bark or rind (such as cinchona) used medicinally
3
a
: the typically parenchymatous layer of tissue external to the vascular tissue and internal to the corky or epidermal tissues of a green plant
broadly
: all tissues external to the xylem
b
: an outer or investing layer of various algae, lichens, or fungi
Cite this Entry
“Cortex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cortex. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.
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